Taiwan in June 2009 partially lifted a decades-old ban on investment in the island by Chinese companies or individuals amid rapidly improving ties following the election of Beijing-friendly Ma Ying-jeou as president in 2008.

Despite the opening, accumulated Chinese investment streams to Taiwan are less than one thousandth the money going in the other direction.

As of December, Chinese firms had made 102 investments on the island worth $131.83 million, Taiwan’s Investment Commission said.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese businesses have funnelled an estimated $150 billion to the mainland since the government eased controls on China-bound investment in 1991, local media have said.

China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification although the island has governed itself since 1949 at the end of a civil war.